So is there still no relatively safe "natural" substrate??

[Gtwo305]

Trying to fix up the decor in my leopard gecko's tank. Im trying to create a more natural habitat for him cus i completely hate the repti-carpet.

Any advice on the best substrate? I know obviously sand is out of the picture for its high impaction rate.


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[Akari_32]

I have slate tile and I love it. I'm combining the slate with a styrofoam/grout structure to look like rock caves and walls

 

[Gtwo305]

But to do that i might as well keep the carpet honestly. I want to do like undeground hides and stuff. I know the leos are from the desert, however, unlike other people think; i know they are not from sandy part. Instead they are like more clayish dryish substrate.


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[Akari_32]

Not really. You can use styrofoam and spray foam to do some pretty cool things. Just google "DIY leopard gecko terrariums" and you'll find some pretty elaborate natural set ups, all with out lose substrate.

 

[Some87]

I saw one on here only a few days ago with all rock. They do live in the desert but don't spend much time on the sand. They spend most of the time on rocks so the styrofoam that's painted or grouted will be more natural or even get some smooth rocks.

 

[Limited Exotic]

what about loam / clay?

 

[Gtwo305]

i have yet to find a full diy foam , but i would soo do that. And i cant find the clay at any "Well known pet store"

 

[Akari_32]

i have yet to find a full diy foam , but i would soo do that. And i cant find the clay at any "Well known pet store"

I have. I'll see if I can dig it up. It was pretty neat!

 

[Tongue Flicker]

Play sand mixed with a little coco fiber and some bone-dry chemical free soil (thus turning into dirt) usually does the trick. Adding boulders, dried leaves and some dried wood usually adds a dramatic effect to the natural appeal.

 

[Phoenix1115]

I've heard excavator clay is good if you want a natural look and underground burrows. Since it dried hard they can't ingest it. I haven't tried it though

 

[Walter H. White]

I had my Leo on " reptile safe" sand (white) and I JUST couldn't do it. This is my first leo and my son's FIRST pet to boot. SO naturaly I am a nervous nelly =-) I went and changed it out with Slate Tile and some kind of baked rock looking things. And I haven't been happier. Aside from the fact that I can change it around as I like to find that perfect set up. Not only dose it look good But they hold the heat So nicely. I have it lined with paper towels at the bottom just because. But I ilke the tile look my self

 

[TXJ1123]

I'm using slate as well. That combined with a mini hand broom and dust pan make for very easy cleaning of a 30gal tank. We're looking at adding a second story using the foam w/ grout method.

 

[iCRIHFIELD]

I've got excavator substrate in the tank I just built for mine, although we haven't moved him into it yet because he wasn't pooping, at least until this morning.

It takes forever, but it does dry hard as concrete.
You have to be really careful and patient using it though. When it's drying it has a tendency to flake and crack.
To avoid this I discovered you need to mix a little bit more water in than what is recommended, and pack it down as much as possible. Even with that it will still crack some and you'll have to back and do patchwork.

Even after all that you'll still have some loose pieces, there are small pieces of rock mixed in the with clay, and if those are near the surface they'll come off. So I just vacuumed the surface to remove those pieces. I've also read that mixing it with a bit of play sand can help with the flaking.

I'm still not sure if we'll move him into it or not out of paranoia.